ROYALS HELPED ME LAND NEW JOB

PHIL PARKINSON believes the respect Reading now enjoy in the football world helped land him his first managerial job at Colchester United.

Despite his lack of experience, Parky was the only man approached for the vacancy and he beat off stiff competition for the task of trying to save the U's from dropping into Division 3.

Colchester are just two points off the relegation zone with 13 games to go.

And Parky, aged 35, admits Royals' meteoric rise from the lower reaches of Division 2 to the brink of the Premiership played its part in him being given the chance to kick off his managerial career.

He said: "When you go away to other clubs you realise how much respect there now is and how high people regard Reading FC in the football world.

"It is a massive wrench to leave such a fantastic club. I have built up a fantastic relationship with everyone there and I'd like to thank people for the support they have shown.

"I still don't know who recommended me. I just got a phone call from the Colchester chairman Mr Heard.

"I first went with an open mind and for the experience of it, but the more I spoke to him and the board the more I felt it was the right decision.

"It was too good an opportunity to turn down. I am honoured they chose me from so many applicants and I want to reward them for the faith they have shown.

"This was a massive decision for me. I had no intention of leaving Reading, but one phone call has changed the course of my life and I think I would have regretted it had I turned it down."

Parky has etched himself into the hearts of every Reading fan after 11 years with the club for his fighting qualities.

And he is hoping those traits which were so popular on the pitch will be equally effective on the sidelines.

Parky, who has passed his UEFA A, B and C badges, won over the U's board and director John Worsp said: "Phil really gave a sense he would take Colchester United forward, inspiring the whole interview panel.

"He has strong motivational skills and we are all excited about the future in Phil's hands."

Parky added: "I'm just going to be myself and find out what makes the players tick. I've only met a few of the players, so I want to try to speak to as many of them as I can.

"I'll be keeping Geraint Williams on as my assistant. I made a big thing of wanting to talk to him. I know he's disappointed not to have got the job himself. He did a fantastic job while he was caretaker boss and I want him to stay.

"Had he not been there and I had taken the job three weeks ago I might have had to make drastic changes.

"But now I can just go in, keep things ticking over and any change will be a gradual process.